Is it Time for a New Water Heater?

Any water heater can be overwhelmed if you put enough demand on it for a long enough period of time. As a water heater ages, though, it will start to lose its ability to provide enough hot water. If your water heater is having trouble providing enough hot water for even a short shower or other reasonable need, you might want to consider installing a new one.

As with heaters and air conditioners, water heaters are to be expected to need repairs once in a while. You will probably need to have your system repaired once every three or four years, and maybe not even that often. If your water heater suddenly starts to break down multiple times a year, though, then it should serve as a warning sign that the system is reaching the end of its life. That often happens as the wear and tear on the water heater reaches a point where it starts to cause various parts of the system to fail in rapid succession. Once a water heater gets this worn out, there is very little you can do aside from replace the entire system. Continuing to replace one part at a time is a dead-end road that will just end up wasting a lot more of your money before you have to replace the system anyway.

On average, you can expect your water heater to last you between 10-15 years. That will vary a little bit depending on individual circumstances, of course, but it’s a pretty reliable range for the vast majority of people. If your system passes that age bracket, it will become more and more likely to develop issues that harm its ability to operate effectively (like the problems we’ve already covered). The older the system gets, the more of these problems it will develop. Eventually, the water heater will break down permanently and need to be replaced. You probably don’t want to wait that long to replace a failing system. So, if your water heater is 15 or older, consult with a professional about whether or not you should replace it now.

Lutz Plumbing, Inc. provides a full range of water heater installation services in Kansas City, MO. If you need a new water heater installed in your home, contact us today to schedule an appointment.